Project Super-trees catalogue
2022.
As part of the project, valuable, large, old or interesting trees in the Istria County were listed. Locations of the trees were reported to us by citizens as part of the citizen science campaign “Look up for the super-tree”. The online catalogue contains 64 trees throughout the entire territory of Istria. For each tree, there is information on the exact location, circumference of the tree (1 m high), average height, average canopy width, age (through informal verbal reporting)) and health condition of the tree, as well as photo documentation.
This work was financially supported by Istrian County, Developmental scientific programs and projects
Project Monitoring the occurrence and prevalence of pests in beekeeping in the Republic of Croatia – Vespa velutina and Vespa orientalis
2022.
The project was financed by the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (PAAFRD), and implemented by the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of the Istrian County and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb (Laboratory for bee diseases). As part of the project, hornet traps were placed in over 30 locations in 6 counties (Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Karlovac, Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje and the City of Zagreb).
The main goal of this project was to determine whether the invasive hornet species – the Asian yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) and the oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) are present in the Republic of Croatia.
Project NATURALLY
2021.- 2024
In the project “Nature as an ALLY: Foreign invasive plant species as a source of pharmaceuticals – NATURALLY”, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, the goal is to answer the basic question: Can invasive plant species be useful?
The main goal of this project is to investigate the phytopharmaceutical potential of natural extracts of four foreign invasive plant species in Istria (Robinia pseudoacacia, Helianthus tuberosus, Ailanthus altissima, Solidago canadensis) as a basis for new possible ecosystem services.
LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus
2021.
As part of the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, which is carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia, we developed an alternative protocol for the biocontrol method of removal of the invasive species Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven) in the Krka National Park.
Tree of heaven leaf extract – a new generation of bioherbicides
2020.
In the project “Tree of heaven leaf extract – a new generation of bioherbicides we developed a potential bioherbicide using the leaf extract of the invasive species Ailanthus altissima.
The project was funded by the Adris Foundation.
Monitoring with the aim of early detection of invasive hornet species in Istria County
2019. – 2020. – 2021.
As part of the monitoring and early detection of invasive hornet species (Asian yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina and oriental hornet Vespa orientalis), we set up specialized hornet traps in the wider area of the city of Poreč and along the border with Slovenia.
The project is implemented in cooperation with: NGO Nektar and Public Health Institute of the Istrian County.
Mapping of invasive flora in the area of Istria County
2019. – 2020.
During 2019 and 2020, the project of mapping invasive flora in the entire Republic of Croatia was implemented by OIKON d.o.o. Mapping was part of the project Establishment of the National Monitoring System for Invasive Alien Species (KK.06.5.1.01.0001).
Our Center was involved in mapping the flora for the area of Istria County. The project has produced lists distribution maps for over 60 present invasive plant species.
Biodiversity assessment of ponds
2019.
In the wider area of the city of Rovinj-Rovigno, 6 ponds were selected to assess the biological diversity, the ecological status and degree of pollution. Collected samples of water, sediment, aquatic plants (macrophytes) and zooplankton were analyzed. As part of the project, two educational boards were set up next to the ponds Kokuletovica and Krasina.
The project was implemented in cooperation with the Center for Marine Research of the Ruđer Bošković Institute from Rovinj (Ivan Balković, M.Sc.) and the University of Jurja Dobrile in Pula (Paolo Paliaga, Ph.D. and Neven Iveša, Ph.D.).
Participation at the Amore Festival
2019.
As part of the Amore Festival, a festival about the sea, we participated with a workshop on making a paper microscope Foldscope. Two workshops were held, one at the Tar-Vabriga Primary School and the other for the general public at the Lanterna camp.
Monitoring of invasive mosquito species in the city of Poreč
2018.
During 2018, in cooperation with the Public Health Institute of the Istrian County, were included in the National Monitoring of Invasive Mosquito Species. The project includes the installation of oviposition traps at several locations in the vicinity of Poreč and the determination of the collected samples. As part of the project, we created a map of the largest mosquito breeding sites in Poreč and its surroundings with the help of GIS software GisCloud.
Mapping of ponds in the area of the city of Rovinj
2018.
The aim of the project was to map ponds in the area of the city of Rovinj and to create a map with the help of GisCloud software. In addition to the project, education was held for the general public about the natural value of the pond habitat, the services of the pond in the past and the condition of the ponds today.
The project was funded by the City of Rovinj
Monitoring of ragweed habitat in the area of the city of Poreč
Continuously
Since 2008, we have been continuously monitoring the existing ragweed habitats in the vicinity of Poreč and beyond (Funtana, Mirna Valley) and, if necessary, involving other institutions (Croatian Forests, Poreč Community Service) in the control and eradication of such habitats.
The project is implemented by our external associate from Croatian Forests, B.Sc. in Forestry Ana Milat.
Summer popularization of science
Continuously
In the summer months, we organise marine biology workshops for citizens and tourists on the city’s beaches in Poreč. The education is designed as diving and socializing by the beach. All citizens can learn how the most common plant and animal marine species look like, dive with us and play themed board games.
Participation in the Week of Botanical Gardens, Arboretums and Botanical Collections
Continuously
We participate in the celebration of the Week through various educational workshops, lectures, outdoor games, quizzes and games. Activities during the Week are intended for kindergarten children, primary and secondary school students as well as the general public.
Student and young researchers exchange
Continuously
We are very happy to participate in student exchange through the Erasmus program in the form of internships and traineeships. Since the establishment of our Center, we have hosted Tim Weber, a student from the University of Westminster (UK) for 5 months who did the most of his practice in the Genetics Laboratory, a young scientist Clara Garau from the University of Cagliari (Italy) who worked in the field, did sample analysis and wrote a scientific paper. In addition, every year we cooperate with volunteers from all over Istria and beyond.
